Theme parks, especially with warmer weather around the corner, are a great place to go with family or friends to create memories that will last a lifetime. Many theme parks have accessibility services that the Where its AT team wants to share with you.
Disneyland Resort
Disneyland, located in Anaheim, California, is probably one of the most famous theme parks in the United States. Disneyland offers different accommodations for mobility, vision, and hearing disabilities. All these accessibility features are outlined on Disneyland park maps and Disneyland services for guests with disabilities.
Mobility options in the park include wheelchairs and Electric Conveyance Vehicles (ECVs) available for rent on a first come first serve basis. Disneyland ECV and wheelchair rentals can be found near the main entrance.
To accommodate those with visual disabilities, braille guides, and tactile maps provide an overview of the park and highlight key landmarks and attractions. Disneyland also has handheld devices at some attractions and events that provide audio descriptions. Services for guests with visual disabilities can be found at Guest Relations.
Guests with hearing disabilities also have a lot of accommodation options. Disneyland has Assistive Listening Systems and Handheld Captioning that can both be rented at Guest Relations. Assistive Listening Systems amplify sound through headphones and Handheld Captioning displays captions during moving attractions. Video captioning monitors are available at some attractions and can be activated remotely with the help of a cast member. Reflective captioning and written aid packets are also available near the entrances at many theater-type attractions. Reflective captioning uses LEDs to display captions on a panel for you. Written Aids Packets include narrations, flashlights, and pen and paper. Lastly, sign language interpretation is available at Disneyland on Mondays and Saturdays and at Disney California Adventure on Sundays and Fridays. The interpreters are scheduled for shows a month in advance. Check the current interpreter schedule for attraction names and the location of the interpreter.
Here are the websites to connect to Disneyland Guest Relations and Disneyland Parking.
Walt Disney World Resort
Disney World is located in Orlando, Florida, and their accessibility features are similar to, but on a larger scale than, Disneyland. Just like Disneyland, Disney World offers lots of services for guests with disabilities. A complete Disney World guide of services for guests with disabilities can be found on their official website. I recommend checking out their website for a complete list of tips and tricks that will be highlighted in this blog.
Disney World has awesome services to ensure the Disney experience is inclusive and enjoyable for everyone. The Disability Access Service (DAS) is a great option for those that have difficulty waiting in lines for a long period. With DAS you will be able to request a return time for an attraction rather than physically waiting in line. This will allow you to explore the park while still being able to enjoy the attractions.
Check out this TikTok where @brandyrubinmedia briefly explains how DAS works.
You can also check out this video by @betsyonthego where they provide an in-depth explanation of how to sign up for DAS and utilize its benefits.
The Rider Switch Program is a great option for those who are traveling in a group of more than 2. The program allows one person to ride the attraction while the other person waits with the individual who does not ride the attraction. Once the first person has completed their ride, the two riders can then switch places without waiting in line again.
There are also designated Break Areas throughout the park. This provides guests with an area to rest and escape from the hustle and bustle of the park if necessary.
Just like Disneyland, wheelchairs and Electric Conveyance Vehicles (ECVs) are available for rent on a first come first serve basis in multiple locations throughout the park. Find locations using the Disney World map.
Also like Disneyland, services for guests with hearing disabilities include Assistive Listening Systems, Handheld Captioning, and Video Captioning monitors. They can all be found at Disney World Guest Relations. Sign language interpretation is also available on designated days. The weekly schedule for ASL can be requested by emailing [email protected].
Here is the website to connect to Disney World Parking.
Morgan’s Wonderland
Morgan’s Wonderland is the world’s first fully accessible theme park, located in San Antonio, Texas. Their mission is to create an inclusive environment where everyone can fully enjoy the outdoors. They are successful in their mission through their fully accessible attractions. Some attractions are adaptive swings, wheelchair swings, a sensory village, wheelchair-accessible water play, and more.
The all accessible water park extension is named Morgan’s Inspiration Island. The water park is open during the summer and offers waterproof wheelchairs.
Six Flags Magic Mountain
Six Flags accessibility guide outlines all accessibility features offered in the park, including parking. Let’s dive into some of the features offered in that guide.
The Six Flags line bypass program is called the Attractions Accessibility Pass. First, an IBCCES Accessibility Card (IAC) must be obtained before the date you plan to visit. Individuals must fill out the information and upload the necessary documentation to the IBCCES Accessibility Card Application. Once the IBCCES card is obtained, individuals can then fill out the Attractions Accessibility Pass form for Six Flags to obtain their line bypass card.
Six flags also offers a Personal Care Attendant Program (PCA) for guests who need support while visiting the park. The PCA should be licensed and not participate in any park attractions or services.
Wheelchairs and Electronically Controlled Vehicles (ECV) are available to rent near the entrance.
Universal Studios
Universal Studios offers a variety of services for guests with disabilities. The line bypass program is called the Attractions Assistance Pass. It will permit the individual and their party to virtually wait in line. This pass can be obtained at Guest Services.
For guests with hearing disabilities, Assistive Listening Devices to amplify sound and Video Remote Interpreting are both available for use at Guest Services. Also, with one-week notice, sign language interpretation can be scheduled through a sign language interpretation request.
For those with mobility disabilities, strollers, wheelchairs, and Electric Convenience Vehicles (ECVs) are available to rent on a first-come, first-serve basis at the entrance of the park.
For guests with visual disabilities, show scripts are available at Guest Services in large font and braille.
If a person uses a cane, a Universal team member can take care of their cane while they ride the attraction.
Here is the website to connect to Universal Studios Guest Relations and Universal Studios Parking.
Knotts Berry Farm
Knotts Berry Farm’s line pass program is called the Attraction Boarding Pass. This pass is obtained upon arrival at Guest Services. They will ask some questions about your needs and give you a boarding pass. For an in-depth guide, check out this TikTok where @christinasmagicalmoments walks us through the process of obtaining an Attraction Boarding Pass.
For guests with hearing disabilities, Assistive Listening Systems to amplify sound at shows are available for use at the Information Canter near the entrance of the park. ASL can also be provided if it is requested through an application at least 1 week in advance.
More services for guests with disabilities include manual and electric wheelchair rentals and Rider Swap.
Legoland
There are a lot of accessibility options at Legoland . Legoland offers a Ride Access Pass to those who have difficulty waiting in long lines. This pass is valid for the individual plus up to three people. To receive the pass, the online application has to be filled out 7 days before the visit. Legoland also provides a sensory space as a calm and quiet space for guests who would benefit from it. Here is the website to connect to Legoland’s additional needs page such as parking.
Advocacy
CFILC’s Public Policy manager, Dan, spoke about his experience as a person with Dwarfism at amusement parks. There is usually no accommodation for the height requirement even though the individual weighs more than the assumed weight based on height. Dan has previously had to speak to park management to receive an exception to ride attractions. A common procedure for those with Dwarfism is to check with guest services for exceptions to ride attractions in the park, ultimately it is at the park’s discretion. This goes to show that the most crucial part of accessibility is advocacy.
